Electromedical instrument



ZJZEE? Aug.. 1938u F. E. HIRD I ELECTROMEDICAL INSTRUMENT AFiled Deo. 26, 1955 `Patented Aug. 9, 1938 entran 4stares ELEOTROMEDICAL INSTRUMENT Frank lE. Hird, Kansas City, Mc., assigner ot l one-half to Elizabeth Kauffman, Kansas City,

Application December 26, 1935, Serial No. 56,213

4 Claims.

This invention relates to electromedical .instruments of the character used in radio frequency diathermy and in the nature of a prostatic electrode that is employed in connection with electrical devices of the well known type.

One of the importanty aims of this invention is the provision of an electromedical instrument, having Ias a part thereof, a body of material that is pervious to radio frequenoywaves, yet im-f lo pervious to electric currents, and which has housed therein, specially formed electrical current conducting elements to the end that the instrument might be used internally without directly subjecting tissue to electrical currents as l the same is acted upon by heat generated by the radio frequency waves.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide `an electrode of the aforementioned charac ter, with structure especiallyadapted for receiv 520 ing a thermometer after the electrode is in place in the patient so that the exact temperature at the innermost part of theV electrode might be always determined without removing the instrument. f v

15 An even further object of this invention is the provision of an electromedical instrumenthaving an undulated, tubular body and removable nipple at the end thereof, both of which are formed of insulating material and within which is disposed a longitudinal tube, having at one end a removable, hollow, spherical electrode `member that may be easily replaced simply by removing the nipple aforementioned.

Other objects of this invention and advantages gained from the use thereof will become apparent during the course of the following specication, referring to the accompanying drawing,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, central, sectional view through an electromedical instrument embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a cross section through the instrument, taken on line III-III of Fig. 1. n

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation of the forward end of the instrument, with the nipple removed, and,

Fig. 5 is a cross section through the instrument, taken on line V-V of Fig, 4.

Heretofore electromedical treatments have usually employed metallic currentfconducting materials in direct contact with the tissue of the organ being treated. In the use of radio frequency apparatus, the internal electrode, such as the one contemplated by this invention, is as- (o1. iasmsoan) socia'ted with an external electrode, not here shown, and radio frequency waves pass from one oi said electrodes to the otherthrough the tissues of the organs being treated, and asa result of such passage, heat is generated and an 5 appreciable rise in temperature is effected. Itis f desirable to maintain thistemperature within a fixed, predetermined range and, accordingly, the use of a thermometer which will allow the attendant to determine the exact temperature at lt) the zone of greatest activity is desirable.

The electromedical instrument embodying the preferred form of this invention is adapted only for use in radio frequency diathermy and the combination of elements shown in the drawing l5 and hereinafter described, is suitable specifically for such treatment.

In the drawing, the numeral S represents a tubular body :formed of insulating material such as Bakelite or other similar well known phenolic 20 derivatives and said body is hollow throughout its length and formed so that the exterior surface thereof is undulated to prevent a series of alternate, relatively small and larger transverse, spaced-apart diameters. Flange l@ formed in- 25 tegrally with body il limits lthe inserting action and serves to seal the mouth` of the oriice through which the undulated portion of body 8 has been inserted.`

One end of body 8 is provided with a reduced 30 neck l2 that is externally screw-'threaded as .illustrated in Fig. 4. A nipple i4, having internal screw-threads thereon engages screw-threads of neck l2 so that nipple it is removably associated with body 3 and the outer contour of the in# 35 strument at the line of connection is Asmooth and uninterrupted. The form of nipple and body, i4 and 8, respectively, is as shown inFig. 1, to the end that insertion might be accomplished with ease and without discomfort to the patient. 40

The other end of body 8 has a thickened portion lt integral therewith and a branch i8 continues outwardly at an angle therefrom to contain metallic tubular branch 2% that is in electrical contact with tube 22 that extends longi- 45 tudinally through body 8. This tube 22 conducts current and forms a part of the electrical circuit of the instrument and apparatus with which it is employed. A suitable tip 24 on the end of wire 2G is moved into branch 2i) and secured in 50 place by thumb screw 28 when the instrument is in use.

The end of tube 22 adjacent nipple I4 is eX- tendecl into a hollow, spherical metallic electrode 3l] and removably secured thereto by a cross pin 55 or similar medium 32. This pin should be removable so that the sphere 3|] might be replaced or interchanged if desired, and accordingly, pin 32 is provided with screw-threads 34 which engage the internal screw-threads of opening 36 formed in sphere 30. The openings 38 formed in opposed relation through the Wall of tube 22 are not screw-threaded and permit the snug slid ing of pin 32. Opening 40 provided in the Wall of sphere 30 in opposed relation to opening 36 is likewise plain to permit the insertion of pin 32 and a socket 42 created in the end of pin 32 permits the use of a small tool for manipulating the pin to and from the assembled position.

When tube and sphere 22 and-30 are in place within body 8, a portion of both extend beyond the end of neck I2 so that pin 32 might be removed to exchange sphere 30 for another without removing tube 22. Manifestly, removing nipple I4 will permit withdrawing of the entire assembly, including tube 22, and sphere 3U, or merely removing pin and sphere from association with tube 22.

A thermometer 44 may be inserted into tube 22 when the instrument is in place and during treatment. The bulb portion of thermometer 45t Willlie within sphere 30 and the temperature at that point will always be determinable by observing the graduated scale 46 that is on that portion of thermometer 44 projecting from tube 22.

-The form of metallic electrode 30 insures that the instrument will always be positioned in the most effective manner. It will be unnecessary to manipulate the instrument and hold the same in a certain position merely to inter-relate the internal and external metallic electrodes of the radio frequency circuit. Since this instrument is particularly useful in the treatment of prostate gland troubles, the value of the form of electrode 30 and its association with other parts of the instrument is even greater enhanced.

Manifestly, the circuit over which the radiofrequency oscillations are delivered to the patient includes an external electrode in contact with a selected part of the body, the internal electrode 30, the generator and that part of the body of the patient disposed between the external and internal electrodes. Suitable conductors (wires) connect the generator with the two aforesaid electrodes.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is understood that many changes and modications might be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be covered by Letters Patent, is:

1. An electromedical instrument of the character described comprising a tubular body of electrical current insulating material; a nipple of like material in screw-threaded engagement with and closing one end of the said body; an apertured, metallic, hollow, spherical electrode within the body adjacent the nipple; and a metallic tube extending from within the said electrode through the said aperture to the other end of said body, said spherical electrode being removably secured to said tube for convenient replacement when the said nipple is detached.

2. An electromedical instrument of the character described comprising a tubular body of electrical current insulating material; a nipple of like material in screw-threaded engagement with and closing one end of the said body; an apertured, metallic, hollow, spherical electrode within the body adjacent the nipple; and a metallic tube extending from within the said elec- :I

trode through the said aperture to the other end of said body, said body being undulated to provide alternate small and larger transverse spaced-apart diameters, the said electrode having an outside diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of the body at one of the larger diameters and being positioned within the body at one of the larger diameters and at the zone of connection between nipple and body,

thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the tube and electrode within the body when the nipple is in place.

3. In an electromedical instrument of the character described, a hollow body of material pervious to radio frequency waves and impervious to electrical currents; a hollow, spherical, metallic electrode housed within said body; a hollow metallic tube extending longitudinally along the said body in communication with the electrode; and a thermometer within the tube having the bulb portion thereof extending into said electrode.

4. An electromedical instrument of the character described comprising a tubular body; a nipple removably secured to the body to close one end thereof; a hollow, spherical electrode, provided with an opening, within the tubular body adjacent the end thereof closed by said nipple and having a portion thereof extending outwardly from the said body when the nipple is removed; a tube of conductive material within the body extending longitudinally therethrough and having one end projected into the said electrode through the opening; and a pin removably securing together said electrode and the tube,

said pin being in the portion of the electrode outside the body to permit removal thereof when the nipple is removed from normal position.

FRANK E. HIRD. 

